Every month, a group of five women who retired from the Ventura County Probation Agency get together to reminisce about work, vent about life and share their experiences with one another.

The Probation Ladies Who Lunch, as they call themselves, gave $120 to the Julius Gius Bellringer drive this year in memory of two of their former members who have passed, Doris Rowe and Carolyn Weir.

"We miss them and we wanted to recognize their work with the agency and being our friends," said Ventura resident Janet "Beth" Wheeler, one of the five group members.

While the women all worked for the same agency, they rarely worked together, with some employed as corrections officers and others as probation officers, all while cycling through the various facilities throughout the county. With the monthly get-together, though, the women have a chance to connect with each other based on their similar work experiences.

"Sometimes when we get together, we have moments like 'Oh, that's a Doris,' or 'Oh, that's a Carolyn," Wheeler said. "We miss their jokes and stories."

The Star's annual Bellringer drive will run through Christmas with the newspaper publishing a daily list of new contributions, except on Mondays. Although The Star acknowledges all contributions, donors can remain anonymous, if desired. All money raised will be given to the Salvation Army to serve people in need.

Checks to Bellringer should include the donor's name, phone number and, if desired, the name of the person, organization, pet or other cause in whose memory it is given. The information, in a message of up to 35 words, will be shared with readers at vcstar.com.

Please make checks out to Salvation Army Southern California Division and send them to Bellringer, c/o Ventura County Star, 771 E. Daily Drive, Suite 300, Camarillo, CA 93010, or pay with a credit card through this link to the Salvation Army: http://vcstar.com/bellringer2018